There is something majestic about a canyon. Sure, they offer some exquisite sweeping views, but they also show visual proof of our world’s geographical shifts. They are like massive scars across the landscape that tell stories of ancient rivers and tectonic plate movements.
We know the big names like the Grand Canyon, but these iconic spots often come with a side of traffic jams and selfie sticks.
For a more authentic experience without the crowds, you might want to turn your attention toward these seven canyons in the USA you haven’t heard of:
7. Ruth Glacier, Alaska
Up north in Alaska’s Denali National Park, Ruth Glacier doesn’t play by the normal canyon rules. Instead of dusty trails and sunlit walls, it consists of 4900-foot-high icy granite walls carved through rugged snow-capped peaks.
As glaciers do, this one moves through the earth at a rate of three feet per day. The main gorge in the glacier is called the Great Gorge, which is technically higher than the Grand Canyon (around 9000 feet deep – to be precise).
Denali is the closest city to the park (though calling it a ‘city’ is a bit generous), but Anchorage is the nearest major airport. The park itself is affordable to visit, but getting to the glacier is a bit tricky and expensive. Most take a short air taxi flight with an operator allowed to land on the glacier itself.
6. Oneonta Gorge, Oregon
Picture this: moss-covered walls rise above you, a stream winds around your kayak, and an emerald green glow reflects off the water. This is Oneonta Gorge, hidden along the Oneonta Trail in the Columbia River Gorge area of Oregon.
It’s so serene here that it almost feels like a secret garden. Shady, lush, and overflowing with life, it’s home to many ferns, mosses, and lichens. But there is a good reason it feels so peaceful and serene. It’s not so simple to get to.
Accessing this slice of heaven requires wading through the slot canyons, scrambling over some logs, and maybe even swimming a bit — depending on the water levels. But getting there is all part of the fun. Think of it as less of a hike and more of an adventure through the wilderness.
5. Red Rock Canyon, Nevada
Las Vegas has its fair share of lights and thrills, but the Red Rock Canyon, just 17 miles from the city, offers a different kind of excitement. Forget the casino glitz; this canyon is fringed with red cliffs, rocky spires, and wild landscapes that look a bit like another planet.
Labeled as Nevada’s first conservation area, it includes miles of hiking trails, climbing rocks, horse riding, mountain biking, and nature observation centers. If you’re only interested in a few snaps of the views, the conservation area even has a scenic loop road.
The canyon is especially dramatic around sunset when the red rocks look like they catch fire in the dimming light. I recommend visiting during spring or fall. The summer heat is no joke and absolutely not an option if you want to hike.
4. Letchworth State Park Canyon, New York
Letchworth State Park Canyon in New York’s scenic Finger Lakes region is often dubbed the Grand Canyon of the East. The park’s centerpiece is the 550-foot-deep canyon, which was dramatically carved into the landscape by the Genesee River.
But this park is home to more than just an impressive canyon. It also boasts three massive waterfalls and countless miles worth of hiking trails.
It’s not too far from Buffalo in Western New York and is one of the best areas in the state for river rafting and waterfall hikes. You can thank the Genesee River for that, too. Since it’s covered by a thick forest layer, it’s also one of the most impressive places to view the fall colors come to life.
3. Buckskin Gulch, Utah
You might know The Buckskin Gulch by its photograph instead of its name. It’s the longest and deepest continuous slot canyon in the world. Running for 16 miles through a tunnel-like space that can only be defined as surreal, it is considered the holy grail of slot canyons.
Totally hidden from view, just a few slithers of light manage to hit the ground level of the canyon each day. It’s so narrow you can just about touch both sides with your hands at once. It’s both fascinating and eerie – as if you’re walking through an ancient dry riverbed (and technically, you are).
Since the canyon is on the Utah-Arizona border, the closest cities to the canyon are Kanab, Utah, and Page, Arizona.
2. Santa Elena Canyon, Texas
Big Bend National Park is no hidden gem. But not many know that it is home to one of the most impressive (and least touristy) canyons in the U.S.
The Santa Elena Canyon was carved by the flowing Rio Grande River, which, millions of years ago, brought in a wealth of dinosaurs and vertebrates. Some of their remains still lie on the canyon floor and walls.
Today, the canyon is one of the best in the world for river rafting, with impressive rapids, including the Rock Slide Class IV classified rapid. As you paddle down the river along this natural Mexico-U.S border, you’ll be able to gaze up to 1500-foot limestone cliffs that seem to amplify every tiny sound.
1. Royal Gorge, Colorado
For our grand finale, the Royal Gorge is often referred to as Colorado’s hidden wonder. Located close to Canon City just south of Colorado Springs, this gorge is most well known for being home to the highest suspension bridge in the U.S. While the 995-foot-high pedestrian bridge is absolutely impressive, it only shows one perspective of this stunning natural wonder.
The canyon itself is 1250 feet deep and very narrow – only 50 feet at the base and 300 feet towards the tip. It was eroded away by the Arkansas River, which still trickles through the canyon.
Some of the best ways to experience it are by kayak, on the Royal Gorge Gondola, or even on a two-hour train ride along the Royal Gorge Railroad.
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